His work has found international recognition placing Miki in the company of other celebrated Japanese composers such as Tōru Takemitsu.

In that same year, Miki founded Pro musica Nipponia (日本音楽集団), an orchestra of traditional Japanese instruments for which he would compose a large amount of work.

Written by Minoru, this was an opera in two acts to an English libretto by James Kirkup which opened in London in October 1979.

Some of Miki's operas from thereon – mostly notably Wakahime and Aien – also increasingly dealt with episodes of Japan's presence and interaction with its neighboring Asian countries.

Miki died of sepsis at Mitaka city hospital, Tokyo, during the early hours of December 8, 2011.